Ironic Contradictions

As you no doubt, may have seen by now, I like to read news articles I stumble across. One I read today, involves a famous young Australian by the name of Bindi Irwin who turns sixteen soon. In an interview, Bindi, commented on fashion and stated that she is a 'big advocate for young girls dressing their age.' Which in the article I read was enough to get her labelled a 'nana'. Further, when I looked up other articles related to this topic I stumbled across this: http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/celebrity-life/former-neighbours-star-caitlin-stasey-launches-twitter-tirade-against-bindi-irwin/story-fn907478-1226964012003

I find it interesting, after Bindi, in this case, appears to honestly state her opinion, that she gets so attacked over it. Her innocence and thoughtfulness is refreshing in a world that is so twisted and while some say her comment that 'she feels bad' is patronising, I disagree. I think that it shows an intelligence and maturity beyond her years. She appears to understand the difference between agency and allowing yourself to become a product - something that the particular Neighbours 'star' lacks (as if Neighbours was anything particularly decent as a television show anyway...).

Being sucked into a culture where you try so desperately to appear older and more mature (wearing dresses designed to highlight hips and breasts for instance) is not agency. Wearing something that bares plenty of skin, is not agency to me (though it could be in some cases). Most of the time, when younger girls wear such clothes, it is because they have bought into a lie of objectification. It's not prudish or being a nanny to state that you find this a sad case. I myself find it sad. It's one thing for 20-something women to actively choose what they wear. It's another for a young girl to wear something because the media and culture have told her she should - that's pure and blatant objectification (something we need much less of and it honestly disgusts me how the media targets the pre-teen girl). 

I titled my thoughts here 'It's a no-win world out there' for a reason. Because reading these articles made me think about one other child star who after/around the age of sixteen, started to go off the rails. I'm talking about Miley Cyrus who is well known now for her ridiculous antics, but if I recall correctly, around the age of sixteen or so, she had already started on the path to self-destruction by taking photographs which were more or less inappropriate. Correct me if I'm wrong. Of course the media attacks this side of the story too. Hence why it's a no-win world. If you show a bit of missing decency and respect for the fact that sexuality is something to grow into, not something to try and jump into because the media says to, then you're a prude. If you go down the circus carnival path of flaunting yourself, then the media subtly suggests that you are also in the wrong.

But personally myself, there is one of these two child stars who I come away from looking at their cases with more respect. And she isn't a self-flaunting, media-loving, singer...